Chitinous material was extracted from brown crab (Cancer pagarus) shell waste using traditional chemical methods as well as microbial fermentation for life cycle analysis (LCA) and to compare differences in recovery levels and quality. Chemical extraction used 1 mol l–1 hydrochloric acid for demineralization and 1 mol l–1 sodium hydroxide for deproteination. Microbial fermentation was optimized for microorganisms used, glucose concentration and fermentation times for each process. Crab shell waste was deproteinated with Serratia marscescens (DSM 30121), followed by demineralisation using Lactobacillus plantarum (DSM 20174). Extraction by either method resulted in pink flakes white to light brown fragments of chitinous material with a similar energy demands and costs. Products were characterized using the following variables: moisture, ash, nitrogen/protein, water and fat binding capacities, Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and mineral composition. The proposed method provides a viable alternative to chemical treatments for the extraction and recovery of chitinous materials.